Abingdon Community Council eNews

Volume I Issue #16 January, 2013 C. David Copenhaver, Editor

Welcome to our latest issue of the ACC eNews. This eNews has been developed in an effort to reach out to the residents of Abingdon. Our purpose is to provide you an opportunity to become more informed and to encourage more participation at our monthly meetings! Please share this eNews with your neighbors. Why not plan to join us at our next meeting on Monday, January 28, 2013 from 6:30pm -7:30pm at the Abingdon Public Library, 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD 21009? Join us and participate; take that leap of faith, you may find it rewarding! (For additional information, contact me at abingdoncc@gmail.com.)
(If at any time you wish to have your eMail address removed from our data base, just reply remove.)

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Abingdons Treasures: Our Teachers

Harford Teacher Receives Prestigious Milken Award
Lauren Hunter from William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary
Lauren Hunter, a fifth grade reading specialist at William Paca/Old Post Elementary School in Abingdon, is the latest Harford County educator to receive a prestigious National Milken Award. Hunter did not know she had won the $25,000 cash award from the Milken Family Foundation until she attended a surprise assembly at the school early Wednesday morning. Before students, fellow faculty members, staff and elected officials, she accepted the award from Dr. Lillian M. Lowery, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools. Hunter, a reading specialist for eight years, whose students continually show high levels of growth and advancement each year, is free to use the cash prize in any manner she chooses, according to the Maryland Department of Education news release announcing the award. "It is wonderful that this accomplished reading specialist is one out of a select few across the nation to receive a 2012 Milken Educator Award for her outstanding dedication and commitment to education," Lowery said during the event. "Her ability to focus her instructional practices to meet the individual needs of each of her students proves she is a model of excellence for the profession." Lowery commented on Hunter's accomplishments, including developing a reward system to recognize students' positive behaviors. "Her fervent enthusiasm for teaching Maryland's students from the development and implementation of initiatives that address overall student achievement to her willingness to mentor new teachers are essential to the undeniable success of William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary School students," she said. HCPS Superintendent Robert Tomback also congratulated Hunter on her achievement. "Mrs. Hunter represents the exceptional teachers delivering high-quality instruction at William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary School, and in Harford County as a whole, each and every day," Tomback said. "Our teachers are passionate and dedicated and are raising the expectations and academic achievements for all of our students. Mrs. Hunter is very deserving of this extraordinary honor, and I am extremely proud of her accomplishments." The Milken Educator Awards recognize the importance of outstanding educators and encourage talented young people to explore teaching. The award provides public recognition and an unrestricted financial award of $25,000 to selected

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educators who are advancing public education. The program began in Maryland in 1993, marking the 19th year. With this year's award winner, Maryland has a total of 57 Milken National Educators, who have been awarded a total of $1,425,000. "It was definitely a surprise," Hunter, 30, said about the award Wednesday afternoon. "I had no idea." The Abingdon resident was told that the state superintendent would be visiting William Paca/Old Post Road to celebrate the school's teachers and students accomplishments in raising Maryland State Assessment scores. Little did she know that when the topic quickly changed to a Milken Award recipient at the school that she would be the one named. "My mouth was just hanging open," Hunter said. Hunter was nominated earlier this year for Harford County's Teacher of the Year award and made it to the top five. In addition to the state and county superintendent, State Sen. Nancy Jacobs, County Councilwoman Mary Ann Lisanti and County Executive David Craig were in attendance for Wednesday's special assembly. After she composed herself, Hunter said she had met previous Milken Award winners, including Harford County's most recent winner and former Harford County Teacher of the Year Christian Slattery. Slattery, a vocal music teacher at Hall's Cross Roads Elementary School in Aberdeen, was Harford's last Milken Award winner in 2008. "I thanked them and said it was an honor to be part of such an elite group of educators," Hunter said. She also thanked the kids and said, "You guys are the reason why I come in and do what I do." A teacher down to the core, Hunter said her first thought after the shock wore off was that somebody had to let the teachers know she wouldn't be in class that morning. "I do what I do just because I love the kids and I love teaching," she said. "I love being good at what I do." Hunter said she wasn't even aware she was being considered for the award, too focused on her own work to realize her performance in the classroom was receiving recognition. With the national award under her belt, Hunter said she "strives to go higher in Harford County" and hopes to one day be a mentor teacher or instructional facilitator. As for the Milken money, Hunter plans to pay off the rest of her wedding from August, take a nice vacation and, because all teachers need a good night's sleep, and a new mattress.
(Source: exploreharford.com Aegis Staff Report. Some changes were made,)

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Abingdon Social Security Office Has New Hours

(Located at: 3435A Box Hill Center Drive, Abingdon, MD 21009)

Effective this week, the Abingdon Social Security office has new hours. The office is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. a reduction of 30 minutes each weekday. In addition, beginning January 2, 2013, the office will close to the public at noon every Wednesday. The Abingdon Social Security office is at 3435A Box Hill Corporate Center Drive. While agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, this shorter public window will allow them to complete face-to-face interviews and process claims work without incurring the cost of overtime, the office said in a news release. "The significantly reduced funding provided by Congress under the continuing resolution for the first six months of the fiscal year makes it impossible for the agency to provide the overtime needed to handle service to the public as it has done in the past," the news release added.

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Most Social Security services do not require a visit to a local office. Many services, including applying for retirement, disability or Medicare benefits, signing up for direct deposit, replacing a Medicare card, obtaining a proof of income letter or informing us of a change of address or telephone number are conveniently available at http://www.socialsecurity.gov or by dialing our toll-free number,1-800-772-1213.
(Source: exploreharford.com Aegis Staff Report. Some changes were made,)

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Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Available for Public Review

Harford County Department of Planning and Zoning has announced that the draft 2013 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan will be available for public review and comment early January 2013. The Plan is an important step in helping Harford County become a truly multi-modal community by identifying needed facilities and presenting actions for implementation. It is also an important step in helping Harford County become a healthier community. The Plan will be posted on the Departments website --- click Website below --- and copies will be available for review at the Department of Planning and Zoning. To help citizens understand the Plan, the Department will be conducting an informational open house on January 16, 2013. The open house will be held in the 2nd floor conference room of the County Administrative Building at 220 S. Main Street in Bel Air. The session will be conducted from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and participants are welcome to stop in anytime during the period to learn more about the Plan. Participants will be able to visit a series of stations that will provide information about the draft Plans various sections including projects, strategies, and implementation. In addition to the open house, public input will also be accepted online at the Departments website. Public comment will be accepted through January 31, 2013. For more information or disability related accommodations please contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 410638-3104.
(Source: harfordneighbors.net, some changes were made,)

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Free Family Fun Fest at New APG Federal Credit Union Arena
HCC is hosting Family Fun Fest, a community open house, on Saturday, January 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to join Harford Community Colleges celebration of the opening of the newly renovated Susquehanna Center and the new APG Federal Credit Union Arena. This free event will offer family fun activities such as face painting, balloon creations, fitness demos, Zumba, theater performances, the HCC Fighting Owls basketball doubleheader, the energetic entertainment of the Zooperstars, inflatables, and much more! In addition, guided tours of the beautiful, new facility will be available. Join the HCC family for a day of fun! For more information, contact Denise Dregier at ddregier@harford.edu or 443.412.2428. Website
(Source: harfordneighbors.net, some changes were made,)

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Delegate Glass Announces Town Hall Meeting January 12th at Abingdon Library
Maryland State Delegate Glen Glass (R Harford, District 34A), recently announced that all Harford County and Cecil County residents are invited to attend a town hall meeting from 1:00p.m. - 2:30p.m.. on January 12th, 2013 at the Abingdon Library 2510 South Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD 21009. State Delegate Glen Glass, Mary Delany-James and State Senator Nancy Jacobs are also invited to be there. Delegate Glen Glass looks forward to listening to all Harford and Cecil County residents about state issues that need to be addressed.
(Source: reprinted, with permission from The Dagger, www.daggerpress.com, some changes were made)

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Shakespeare Visits the Library in Celebration of the 2013 Winter Reading Program
(To Read or Not to Read? There is NO question! The 2013 Harford County Public Library Winter Reading Program celebrates all things Shakespeare beginning on January 2, 2013)

The Baltimore Shakespeare Factory, a performance group that employs the staging conditions of Shakespeares time as closely as possible, will perform two plays at the Library in January. With limited sets, doubling of the actors and full interaction from the audience, guests can see The Two Gentlemen of Verona at the Fallston Library on Saturday, January 19 at 2:00 pm; the Aberdeen Library on Thursday, January 24 at 6:30 pm; the Havre de Grace Library on Saturday, January 26 at 2:00 pm; the Abingdon Library on Sunday, January 27 at 2:00 pm; and the Whiteford Library on Monday, January 28 at 6:30 pm. Othello will be performed at the Joppa Library on Friday, January 18 at 6:30 pm. Registration is suggested.
(Source: harfordneighbors.net, some changes were made,)

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Dates to Ponder:
North Park Trail Walk
January 5, 2013 10:00am 12:00pm Susquehanna Museum at the Lock House This guided nature and historic walk is free to the public. Distance 1.5 miles in 90 minutes. Meet at the Lock House, 817 Conesteo St, Havre de Grace, MD. Event Web site: http://www.thelockhousemuseum.org

Salon: Beauty in Sport

January 7, 2013 3:30pm 5:30pm Hays-Heighe House, HCC, Room 201, 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, MD The culture and history of horse breeding and racing in Harford County is free to the public. Event Website: http://www.harford.edu/library/haysheighehouse/about/

Starving Artists Reception

January 12, 2013 3:00pm -5:00pm Caretakers Cottage next to Rockfield Manor, 503 Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD Come meet many of the artists selling their paintings, jewelry, and pottery - all items under $100! Event Website: http://artinharford.org/gallery.

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County Holiday
Monday, January 21, 2013 Martin Luther King Day Harford County Government offices will be closed Harford Transit buses will NOT be available. View Complete County Holiday Schedule...

Abingdon Community Council Meeting

Monday, January 28, 2013 6:30pm 7:30pm Abingdon Public Library, 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD 21009. Join us and participate; take that leap of faith, you may find it rewarding!

Harford CountyFY2014 budget meeting

Monday, January 28, 2013 6:00pm - till Aberdeen High School auditorium

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Next Meeting January 28, 2013 at the Abingdon Public Library 6:30pm 7:30pm 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD

Abingdon Community Council Survey: Harford County FY 14/15 Budget Priorities

County Executive David Craig has announced his policy priorities for the next 2 years. Please let us know your thoughts on budget priorities in Harford County for the 2014 and 2015 fiscal years. The community council wants your feedback so we understand the issues that are most important to you and we will provide that feedback to the County Executive. Take a few moments to share your thoughts with us. This survey should take just 10 minutes or less. Your input is very important. Please take just a few minutes to complete this survey...http://tinyurl.com/cakacp4.

A special Thank You to Council member Earl Grey for developing this outstanding survey.

Members:
Cynthia Hergenhahn, Chairperson C. David Copenhaver Carlin Cook Earl Grey Gregory A. Beaty Joan Hamilton Recording Secretary: Donna Copenhaver

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